If you didn’t get a chance to see Dj Sosea in the Megablend Competition, here is a video recording of it. Please take note on how Sosea incorporates 3 costume changes, and performs his own song at the end. Not one of the other djs in the competition outdid that!

His actual dj mix that night of the competition will be available for download Dec. 1st. Check BACK!

By Catherine Litt The News Bulletin

Quick: think of a Canadian city you’d expect the next big hip hop star to come from.

Vancouver, perhaps Toronto?

Those are good guesses. But how about Nanaimo?

Sure, the Harbour City may not be known as a hotbed for hip hop right now, but if record producer Wil Greer has anything to say about it, it will become the launching pad of the next great rapper.

Greer owns Cartello Records, a new Nanaimo company that’s aiming for stardom both for itself and for its growing stable of artists.

Since forming the company in September, Greer has been a busy man. He has signed a rapper named Diamante, has recorded a track for Victoria rapper Sy-rai and is courting Seattle-based Sir Mix-A-Lot for a recording session.

He has also been busy with his own career as a hip hop artist, under the stage name PretiBoi.

“Honestly, it’s a lot of work,” says Greer of the double duty. “It was more work than I had expected it to be.”

Between producing other artists and managing his own career, the 26-year-old former DJ keeps a hectic pace.

But he wouldn’t have it any other way. For him, the hard work is all part of making his dream a reality – a message he shares in his lyrics.

“People can pursue their dreams if they’re willing to take the time and effort to make it happen,” says Greer.

“A lot of people, they give up on their dreams. If you have a dream, don’t forget about it, make it a reality.”

Greer’s dream for Cartello Records goes far beyond music.

Besides signing and recording new artists, the company is looking at several merchandising opportunities, including a clothing line.

By Catherine Litt The News Bulletin

It’s a good thing Wil Greer never became a doctor or a lawyer.

He’s certainly got the smarts for both professions, but if he had gone those routes his many fans would have been denied the pleasure of hearing Uncharted Territories.

The 26-year-old Nanaimo resident, better known as hip hop artist Preti Boi, has released a strong debut CD that proves he’s following the right career path.

Released in November under Greer’s own Cartello record label, Uncharted Territories shines with the young rapper’s insightful verses and skillful arrangements.

With a vocal style reminiscent of fellow Vancouver Islander Moka Only, Greer’s songs display a maturity beyond his years.

He raps of struggle and survival, of hate and love, of moving through the darkest depths of the human experience and coming out a survivor – the kind of soul-searching stuff most adults take 40 or 50 years to build up to. Which is what makes his music so compelling.

Greer grew up in Seattle and moved to Nanaimo about four years ago to work as a hip hop DJ.

His former career is evident on many of Uncharted Territories’ tracks – which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the listener. Fans of his skillful spins will appreciate the musical backdrops, but hip hop listeners who yearn for stronger bass lines and guitar riffs can be left feeling unfulfilled on some of the tunes.

But that’s a minor point in a CD that is, on the whole, an impressive first offering from a rapper destined for big things.

As a communicator, Greer has a lot to say, not just to his generation, but to anyone willing to listen. He rhymes about everything from war to peace and isn’t afraid to talk about his devotion to God.

His message is ultimately a positive one – believe in yourself, persevere and you will find happiness.

And that’s a message we can all embrace.